Zarathusthrianism was the state religion of Iran during the time of the
Sassanian dynasty.With the defeat of the Sassanians at the hands of Arabs waging the banner
of Islamover thirteen centuries ago, the faith of Zarathusthrianism in Iran was
sealed by the Arab rulers who had no intention of respecting the vanquished
peoples rights to basic human freedoms including freedom of worship.Zarathusthrians were persecuted, and lost all their civil rights under
the new system of government and the chaotic conditions that prevailed
thereafter.Through threat, and coercion there was forced conversions to the new
faith.Zarathusthrian places of worship were by in large either destroyed of
converted to places of worship of the new faith.The portion of the population who resisted conversion, found themselves
subject to payment of head tax and severe hardship.These measures took its toll on the once proud and literate
Zarathusthrians in their homeland.

By the turn of the twentieth century, the knowledge of Zarathusthrianism amongst
Iranian had reduced to a low point.Combination of circumstances around the turn of the century rekindled new
interest in the Zarathusthrian heritage of Iran.

A young, idealistic Iranian through yearning for his lost nationalism is led
to Zarathusthrianism.This young man, who in time becomes a world-renown scholar of
Zarathusthrianism plays a vital role in rekindling interest amongst the Iranian
intelligentsia in their Zarathusthrian heritage through his publications and
scholarly works.

The editorial board of vohuman.org takes great pride in introducing you
to this outstanding patriot, the late “IbrahimPour-e-Davoud”.

From
the sighs of my heart, I will evaporate all oceans

From
the tears of my eyes, I will turn deserts into Oceans

Amongst
acquaintances, I find no companion

Neither the venerated clergy, nor the charmful beauty

The assembly at the mosque, the gathering at the temple

The faithful at the synagogue, or worshippers at church

And
if through the calamity of the times, the Agiary has been subdued

I
will safeguard the Avestan flame in the sanctity of my heart

The pristine Persian cultural tradition with its
moral foundation drawing from the tenets of the religion of Zarathushtra,values the remembrance of caring and giving people who have made a
difference through their existence.Appreciation
of the selfless people who have in some wayshelped the cause of the Zarathushtrian religion is not only an act of
recognition, but also a model for others how they too can follow in the
tradition of such Ashwans in helping make our world a better place for all
humanity.

One such distinguished individual, a world-class scholar, and a person whose
legacy is held very dear by many learnedIranians,
especially the Zarathushtriansis
the late Professor Ibrahim Pour-e-Davoud.An
internationally recognized authority and scholar of Ancient Persian history,
Avestan and Gathas, Ostad Pour-e-Davoudmore
than anyone else was responsible for the establishment of the very first
department of Persian Studies in Iran in modern time, at the university of
Tehran.

Pour-e-Davoud was born in 1885 A.C. in the north Iranian province of Gilan where he
spent his youth.His love and
dedication to his mother-land was soon manifested as he became involved with
Iranian nationalistic movements, and made speeches, wrote declarations, and
composed poem in renunciation of Czar Alexandre and Russia’s aggressive
policies towards its southern neighbor, Iran.

Due to his brilliance as a student, Ibrahim was amongst the Iranian students who
went to France to study.While
studying in Europe, Pour-e-Davoud met the late Sadeq Hedayat another
nationalistic Iranian self- exile in France.Hedayat impressed by Pour-e-Davoud’s intelligence and nationalism
facilitated the acquaintance of Ibrahim with the late Dinshah Irani in Bombay.Dinshah Irani was actively looking to bring about translation of
Zarathusthrian literature to Farsiso
the Iranians can have access to that information, and was looking for a scholar
able to do so.

Through the invitation and sponsorship of Dinshah Irani, Pour-e-Davoud made his
first trip to Bombay, India in 1921 a.c. (1294 Yazdgerdi).His acquaintance with the Parsis, the descendent of the ancient Iranians,
made a positive impression on him and helped convince him of the strength of the
message of Zarathushtra, a reflection that he expressed in his writings.That personal observation helped convince him to focus his nationalistic
efforts on the study and research of the Avestan literature.This was the beginning of a life of dedication to scholarly endeavors
which spanned over 48 years.Professor
Pour-e-Davoud stayed in India for 2 years and worked very closely with the late
Dinshah Irani.

Upon the completion of his studies in Europe and India, Pour-e-Davoud returned
to Iran and started a distinguished academic career as a Professor of Iranian
studies at Tehran University.In
Iran he established contact with the Zarathusthrian community in Tehran and
traveled to Yazd, and Kerman to meet the Zarathusthrians in those localities.His contacts with the Zarathusthrians of Iran were very strong through
the last days of his life.He was
very much respected and admired by the Zarathusthrians and other nationalistic
Iranians for his pioneering efforts in re-introducing the pristine message of
Zarathushtra to the Iranians through his high-caliber scholarly works.

In 1943 A.C. (1311 YZ), Professor Pour-e-Davoud was appointed to head the
Iranian delegation to the 25th congress of the Eastern Culture and
Studies in Moscow.The following
year, Pour-e-Davoud made his 3rd trip to India (9 years had elapsed
since his second trip). On this trip, he was accompanied by the late Rashid
Yasemi and Ali Asghar Hekmat the Iranian Ambassador to India at that time.One year after this trip to India, the university of Tehran celebrated
his 60th birthday at the university with a great fanfare and on this
occasion, his successor, Dr. MohammadMoin
was introduced.

In 1961 (1330 YZ) the Israeli government invited professor Pour-e-Davoud to
participate in the 3rd International Jewish Congress which coincided
with the 2500 anniversaryof
Persian empire establishment and the freeing of the Jewish peopleby Cyrus the Great.David
Ben Gurion, a founding father of the modern state of Israel was at hand to
receive Pour-e-Davoud on his arrival at the airport in Tel Aviv.

The year 1965 (1333 YZ) witnessed the 80th birth anniversary of
Pour-e-Davoud at the University of Delhi. On that occasion he was awarded an
honorary doctorate for his life of scholarship.The following year, he was selected as the fellow of the “World Academy
of Arts and Sciences” and in the same year, the Vatican bestowed on him the
prestigious San Sylvester medal of honor for humanity.

In year 1967 (1335 YZ), the Indian government awarded Pour-e-Davoud, the most
notable medal of honor of “Tagor”.The
Tagor is the highest medal of honor awarded by the Indian government.As of that time, only 4 other scholars had received this award. The other
four included such celebrities as Albert Schwartz, and Bert Ron Russell.

In his homeland, he was appointed as a fellow of the Persian Cultural Society,
head of the Persian-German Cultural Studies and the head of the Royal Library.His appointment at Tehran University was as a full professor of Persian
studies for 27 years.

One of Professor Pour-e-Davoud greatest contribution is his scholarly works on
the Gathas, the hymns of the Prophet Zarathushtra.Through his efforts, he was able to introduce the teaching of
Zarathushtra to other scholars and non-academicians alike. Professor Mohammad
Isagh writes “Those who are familiar with Professor Pour-e-Davoud works know
of his deep love for Persian culture, civilization and specially for the
doctrine and philosophy of the Iranian Prophet, Zarathushtra.”

The Tehran monthly magazine “New Messages” carried the statement that “the
recognition of the professor is not limited to the boundaries of Iran.It has gone beyond the borders of Iran and is a recognized name as a
respectedscholar of Eastern
studies especially Iran.”

His publications were too numerous to mention and included titles such as, the
Gathas,the first of theYasht
verses, the second of the Yasht verses,Khordeh-Avesta,
Yasna,Vispard, Vandidad, Khoramsha,
Syoshants, the Persian Culture, Hormozd-Nameh, Anahita, our Khuzistan,King Yazdgerd, Pourandokht-Nameh, story of Bijan and Manijeh, Fereidoon,
and Zin Abzar.

Twenty sixth of Aban in the year 1337 YZ (1968 A.C.) was yet another day in the
Pour-e-Davoud household on Azar Avenue in Tehran. The retired Professor had
finished his breakfast and proceeded to an adjoining room that served as his
personal library.Short while later
he fell asleep behind his desk, a sleep, he never woke up from.This was indeed a graceful departure for a peaceful and enlightened man.

Pour-e-Davoud had expressed the wish to be buried at the Zarathushtrian
cemetery in Tehran prior to his death.Although,
this was one of the very few requests he had ever made to the Zarathushtrian
community, the political ramification would have been more than the community
could have handled.Finally, his
body was laid to rest in his birth city of Rasht, Gilan.His tomb is frequented by many nationalistic Iranians to this day.

When the news of Pour-e-Davoud’s death got out, the governor of his birth
province of Gilan mandated a day of mourning andordered the closure of governmental offices on that day.The coffin of the late professor carried into Rasht on
his final journey was received by the line of people stretchingfor more than six miles who had been waiting for hours.

Memorial and commemoration conferences in his honor were arranged in Iran as
well as in France, Germany, India,and
Pakistan.

One of the most widely circulated newspapers in Iran wrote, “A man who truly
loved Iran has passed away.Professor
Ibrahim Pour-e-Davoud the Scholar ofIranology,
Persian culture and civilization died of a heart attack yesterday morning.He left behind a priceless treasure of scholarly works and studies on a
period of Iran’s history that has not been too well understood up to this
point. Through his publications, he has shed light on that part of Iran’s
heritage”.

The other most widely circulated newspaper,”Etelat” , wrote, “Pour-e-Davoud, the great Iranian scholar of
Avesta died yesterday” and their next day’s headline included,“A man whose heart was an ever-burning Altar of love for Iran passed
away”.

The “Art and People” magazine in its 74th edition of Azar 1337 (YZ)
wrote “Pour-e-Davoud, poet, scholar of Persian culture and heritage dies after
83 years of selfless dedication to scholarly research and a fruitful life of
shedding light on Persian history.His
demise is like the extinction of a bright temple, but then again as he
frequently stated it “The Heart of every Iranian is an Atashkadeh (altar) of
love for Iran”

The Zarathushtrian Anjumans of Tehran, Kerman, Yazd, Shiraz and other localities
in Iran organized and conducted remembrance ceremonies in his honor.On Thursday, 7th of Azar 1337 (YZ),a memorable ceremony was conducted by the Tehran Anjuman, where community
leaders and scholars such as the late Rostam Guiv, Dr. Farhang Mehr, Dr. Ahmad
Azarakhshi, Sohrab Safrang, Ardeshir Jahanian made speeches in remembrance of
the late profressor.

The elementary
school ofIbrahim Pour-e-Davoud
erected with donations from theZarathushtrian
philanthropist, the late Arbab Rustam Guiv,located in the Tehran suburb of Tehran-Pars had a day of closing in the
honor or the late professor.

The late, Dr. Bahram Farahvashi, one of many of the professors students, who
became a well known scholar himself,wrote,“In my opinion,Professor Pour-e-Davoud was unique in many ways, he helped
tremendously to uncover many aspects of Persian historyand there may not be a scholar of his caliber again”.

Dr. Farhad Abadani, another one of his students wrote “ 83 years ago, a child
was born, who was destined to be one of the greatest scholars of Persian
history”.

During his life span of 83 years,
Pour-e-Davoud met and became acquainted with many other scholars including
Mouhammad Ali Jamalzadeh, Dr. Mehdi Malek Zadeh (the son of Malek-ol-Motakaleman,
Alameh Ghazvini), Hasan Taghi-Zadeh, Professor Joseph Marquart, Rashid Yasami,
Ali Asghar Hekmat, Dr. Reza Zadeh Shafagh, H. Kazem Zadeh Iranshar, Professor
Edward Brown, Professor Skarman, Professor Hartmani, Professor Frank, Professor
Shedder, Professor Mistoukh, Professor Hall, Professor Blouche, Professor
Jivanjee Jamshid G Modi, Hirbod Bahman G Nasravanji, and the late Dinshah Irani,
father of the distinguished Professor Keikhosrow Irani (Emeritus Professor at
the City University of New York).Many
of his students have in turn reached position of renown, including Ehsan
Yarshater, Professor Emeritus at Colombia.

The late professor Pour-e-Davoud and his life long wife had one daughter whom
they named Pourandokht.The daughter married F. Nafisi, the younger brother of the
well known Iranian scholar Saeed Nafisi.Pourandokht
and her husband had 4 children, a son named Hormozed. Pour-e-Davoud dedicated
his book “Hormozdnameh” to this grand-son.A daughter named Anahita, to whom he dedicated his “50 Articles”.Another son, “Arash”, for whom his “Arash Nameh” is named. The
fourth child was named Parvin.Pour-e-Davoud
named his famous book “Pouarndokht Nameh” after this daughter.

Although, Pour-e-Davoud has been gone for many
years, he has left his mark, and his legacy continues to inspire others.May his soul rest in peace in the Ahura-Mazda’s abode of songs.